Nice article on Lachlan Coinakis. Rumours were he was set to head off to Souths this year, instead extending til 2027. Ryley Smith has been good, i think personally overrated (Shoot me), but he has been good for us. But Coinakis adding competition would be nice and builds a sense of needing to be great every week. I believe Ryles is high on Coinakis, probably the reason behind us looking at Brailey, despite being in the backend of his career. More so waiting for Coinakis to be ready. He is 19, 20 next year i believe.
EA should be able to help as i my exposure to him is limited, though Aus Schoolboy selection and hopefully U19's NSW Selection as well. His next step is to make his way into Flegg. Jack Hudson is performing well, chance for Coinakis to impress and topple him. Hands is off-contract in 2026, Lussick this year, there is a path for Coinakis to be Hooker #3 in 2026. More likely receiving a development deal for 2026 and 2027. Then the ideal scenario would be Smith and Coinakis being out two Hookers in 2027.
https://www.zerotackle.com/built-in-parra-lachlan-coinakis-building-towards-nrl-dream-222070/
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Apples with apples, I think Smith is about on par with Mahoney at the same age / experience level. You can't expect him to be great after just a handful of games in the NRL. The fact that we have pressure from within the lower grades for most positions isd a great thing, and something we have not seen for a long time. The pathways are finally starting to produce the goods.
I would say Mahoney was slightly better at Smith's age. Though by the time Mahoney was 22, like Smith now, he had played over 60 games too.
But many have put him on this pedistal of being a superstar when he is a good, solid Hooker.
Riley has a crisp pass out of dummy half which has been lacking since Mahoney left.
His Defence is solid, he has a good running game and is a handy kicker.
He also puts kick pressure on the opposition halves at the end of every set which not many others in the team do.
He is definitely the best hooker we have had since Mahoney and to call him overrated is hilarious.
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Some here have said he is better than Mahoney, would you say that right now? Mahoney in 2019 had more to his game and was younger than Smith. Thats what I mean by overrated, people are losing their minds over him and I think he is a good solid Hooker, nothing wrong with that, you can win with that. He also has time on his side to develop his game further.
Best Hooker since Mahoney left is true but look at who we have had? Can you really say it's hard for Smith to impress compared to Hodgson, Lussick and Hands?
His passing is good, kicking not great and effort is amazing. Making of a good Hooker. Some here have said he is amazing and he is not there yet as a player. Not saying he won't get there just at the moment there could be better. Better than Mahoney? more effort areas he is better, but passing, creativity and kicking Mahoney was better than in his first year. Defence Mahoney had better stats and played more minutes played. But when we have had such rubbish as the Hooking position of late getting a solid Hooker can be a godsend in some eyes.
Again, Ryles himself seemed a bit hesitant to praise Smith as the future.
Like I said, best since Mahoney.
I believe his running, passing and defence are as good as Mahoney's but Mahoney had a better kicking game.
I also love the fact he always races in at the kicker to put heaps of pressure on which we haven't had for ages.
Some aspects of his game aren't as good as Mahoney's but I strongly believe he can become every bit as good as Mahoney was when he left.
BEM I know you said that, others have said He is better than Mahoney.
I think Mahoney's passing is better. Smith's running we haven't seen him go for it and at times I want to see him just run as in lower grades he was more of a running Hooker than a creative Hooker. I want to see him run from those offloads and catch markers off. Newcastle he started to slowly catch the slow markers off but he has running ability to beat them regularly. Passing, kicking and creativity (at the moment) is better. Smith is a bit more cleaner in defence but still misses a few and that's a Hooker for you.
Your last part is nicely written. Even though I see Smith a certain way doesn't mean he cannot be better. Coinakis coming through might make him better. But Smith can definitely be better, let's see him end of 2026 and see what we think if he has developed further.
Though he has heart like Gutho that's his best feature. I will end by saying this, I like the kid, he is good.
5 minutes ago people were saying the same about Hands . Hooker is a position we should be in the market for . If we wish to find success we need to buy an experienced hooker.
Yep well said. Hands was the flavour of the month but mainly due to him just being a steady option over Hodgson who was not great at all for us. Then comes Smith and Hands is seen as a very average Hooker.
I was never a fan of Hands.
I rated him slightly better than Lussick who has always been dog shit.
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